Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Traumatic blunt diaphragmatic rupture (BDR) is most commonly due to motor vehicle accidents (as was the case in the above patient). The left hemidiaphragm is more commonly injured than the right due to protective effects of the liver. Prompt diagnosis of BDR is important due to potentially life threatening complications if this injury is missed. Common signs indicating BDR on plain films and CT are as follows: